South Sudan’s security forces have released peacebuilding minister Stephen Par Kuol after his unlawful detention. This follows arrests of several allies of Vice President Riek Machar amid rising tensions. The ongoing conflict is exacerbated by recent violence in Nasir involving the White Army militia, associated with Machar’s faction.
South Sudanese forces loyal to President Salva Kiir have released the peacebuilding minister, a significant ally of First Vice President Riek Machar, according to Machar’s spokesman. This release comes after the detention of several senior officials raised tensions within the government. In total, from Tuesday to Thursday, security forces arrested or placed under house arrest key allies of Machar, including the petroleum minister and a deputy military head, threatening the integrity of the peace agreements that ended the previous civil war.
Machar’s spokesman, Puok Both Baluang, informed that peacebuilding minister Stephen Par Kuol, along with three staff members, had been unlawfully detained by National Security but was released early Friday morning. The petroleum minister and the deputy military head, however, remained in custody on the following day. Furthermore, security forces were deployed around Machar’s residence, although he was able to commute to his office despite the heightened security measures.
The recent detentions followed violent clashes in the northern town of Nasir between national forces and the White Army militia, which predominantly consists of members from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group. The White Army previously fought alongside Machar’s forces during the 2013-2018 civil war against the Dinka soldiers loyal to Kiir’s government. The government has not publicly addressed the detentions, but Information Minister Michael Makuei accused Machar’s faction of colluding with the White Army to attack a military post near Nasir.
Machar’s party has refuted any involvement in the recent violence. While South Sudan has officially been at peace since an agreement in 2018 concluded a conflict that resulted in substantial loss of life, inter-community violence has persisted. Following the recent developments, officials from IGAD, the African Union, the United Nations, and RJMEC met with Machar, stressing the importance of restoring tranquility in Upper Nile State, where Nasir is located.
The situation in South Sudan remains tense following the recent arrests of key officials associated with Vice President Riek Machar. Although the peacebuilding minister was released, the continued detention of other officials contributes to the fragility of the peace agreement established post-civil war. International bodies are urging for a reduction in violence and a return to stability in the region as community clashes persist despite a formal peace agreement.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
